Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (1/18/2022) – "There is one word we live by and that's grit. This team is relentless and never gives up." stated Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Shannon Algeo. She continued, "Every year our goal is to get 1% better every day. To do that we rely on the pillars of our program; Respect, Trust, and Communication. We respect each other and our opponents, we trust our teammates on and off the field, and communication is what makes it all work, it's key to everything we do." Coming off a 4-4 record in 2021, Coach Algeo and her Griffins will look to finish above .500 and host their first postseason game in late April.
 
"We are returning several key players that we are excited to shine, including three all-conference performers and strong senior class," said Coach Algeo. Headlining those key returnees are Gwynedd Mercy University's two captains; senior defender Seydel Acuna (Philadelphia, Pa.), and junior goalkeeper Reilly Owens (Pottstown, Pa.), as well as All-AEC First Team midfielder, junior Damali Teagle (Philadelphia, Pa.). Teagle recorded all 12 of her points with goals (12) and played a big factor in ball control last season with a team-high 33 draw controls, 15 ground balls, and a pair of caused turnovers. She will be supported in the midfield by senior Laura Pelczar (Philadelphia, Pa.), senior Anna Bernicker (Merion Station, Pa.) and freshman Alysia Collins (Royersford, Pa.). Bernicker finished 2021 with eight points (7 goals, 1 assist), seven ground balls, a draw control, and four caused turnovers.  Pelczar matched Teagle's offensive production – 12 points; 10 goals, 2 assists – while recording 15 draw controls, eight ground balls, and eight caused turnovers of her own.
 
On the attack unit are senior Meleah Hoats (Conyngham, Pa.), sophomores; Molly Madden (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Kristin Varilla (Lansdale, Pa.), and freshmen; Hailey Bloom (Margate City, N.J.) and Emily Gudas (Philadelphia, Pa.). Hoats totaled six points (4 goals, 2 assists), a draw control, 10 ground balls, and four caused turnovers during her junior season.
 
Owens was the 2021 All-AEC First Team goalkeeper after recording a 14.38 goals-against average (GAA) and a .433 save percentage (SV%) on a league-high 88 saves. She is joined on the Griffins' goalkeeping depth chart by senior Julia Smith (Williamstown, N.J.), providing Gwynedd Mercy University with a pair of veteran net minders behind a defensive unit that includes Acuna, junior Mackenzie Oprishko (Scotrun, Pa.), sophomores; Lindsay Anderson (Merchantville, N.J.) and Grace Cooney (Doylestown, Pa.), and an impressive trio of incoming freshmen; Cheyenne Avellino (Egg Harbor, N.J.), Maddie Jeter (Bensalem, Pa.), and Morgan Lawless (Bristol, Pa.). Acuna was an All-AEC Second Team performer with nine caused turnovers and a dozen (12) ground balls in 2021.
 
"We have eight new players, including a transfer from York College, a couple players from the well-respected T3 Shore Club (now Triple Threat Elite Lacrosse), and a couple two-sport student-athletes who enjoyed a successful field hockey season this fall," outlined Coach Algeo. "They have all put in a lot of hard work and have fit in flawlessly with our returning roster." New Assistant Coach Madi Green will also make her impression on the Griffins' 2022 season. Coach Green, currently with Victory Event Series (Thornton, Pa.), spent five years (2015-2020) as a coach and manager with 3d Lacrosse (Leesburg, Va.) after playing collegiately at Notre Dame College.
 
"Our strengths lie in our team chemistry and our work ethic, and I expect this team to be very strong by the end of the season," issued Coach Algeo. "We are more talented than we have ever been and every single player has something to contribute to that. This team is passionate, hungry, and very excited for the 2022 season."
 
The 2022 Gwynedd Mercy University women's lacrosse season begins on February 16 with a trip to King's College (4:00 p.m.). The Griffins will host a "Hidden Opponent" Awareness Game (1:00 p.m.) versus Hood College on March 19 and open their AEC slate with a 1:00 p.m. draw at Immaculata University on April 9.